Purina Farms

[speckledhen]

Gee, my mutts lay better than my "quality" poultry and are better foragers as well. I agree that fun backyard flocks, not show stock, are the mainstay of Purina's business. Glad you had fun. Sounds like something that I'd like to do.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

My point was, the poultry at Purina Farms was small, lacked quality as to their breed. One Quail Belgian D'Anvers Bantam hen was "sulking" and in very poor condition. Perhaps from being handled too much as they only had one available to pet. This is an educational facility. The Dog agility field was top quality. In fact, everything was top quality.

Here is what my wife thought about Purina Farms:

I really enjoyed our visit to Purina Farms. It was more fun than going up in the St. Louis Arch. Ok, I guess I love farming more than being in crowds. Anyway, I was disappointed that this "farm" had such poor poultry exhibits. Really, none of the breeds showed the distinctive qualities of their breeds. The call ducks were huge. Their eggs were as big as our large fowl duck eggs. There were not enough chickens for petting, and I think that one bantam had been overly petted. The milking demonstration was excellent and educational, but no one could really tell us anything about the poultry. Purina Farms slogan is "Visit, Explore, and Learn" and their brochure further states its Visitor's Center is "for an entertaining and educational experience." It further states, "As part of one of the world's largest pet food manufacturers, Purina Farms promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement, and the positive bond between people and their pets." As such a representative and with its close association with P. Allen Smith, I would like to see this establishment improve its poultry department for the benefit of all who come to visit and in doing so, fulfill its stated mission.

Catherine Hall

On the wall behind the petting area was an American Poultry Association color poster. (Available at http://www.amerpoultryassn.com/APA_ShoppingMall3.htm ). Perhaps if some of the breeders in that area would donate a pair or trio of birds of quality, it would get them started on the right foot. On Monday I will be contacting the director of Purina Farms and offering some of our hatching eggs this fall. I would challenge others to donate to this worthy educational facility. Most folk’s culls would be better than what we saw. We will try to raise a trio of Buff Orpingtons Large Fowl and Bantams to donate to Purina Farms next year. We challenge other breeders to do the same.

Purina Farms barn is most unique. Its downstairs contains an interactive animal display. From a HUGE Belgian mare to a miniature horse and Sicilian Donkey. Several Holstein cows that are milked several times a day. Children are allowed to even milk the cows. The Katahdin hair sheep and lambs were wonderful. Sadly, their farrowing stalls were empty, but they had several very young pigs on display. It was obvious that the pigs had been born in the farrowing stalls a few weeks before.

The upstairs of the barn was full of interactive games for all ages. A maze of tunnels in the hay loft. Reminded me of my boyhood and our hay maze tunnels we had built (until Dad discovered them and made us restack the entire barn loft!). Tables with whole corn and toy farm equipment for the children to play and interact with.

The facility of Purina Farms was most impressive. It is a must see if anywhere within 100 miles of the farm. There was just this one minor point. It would have also been nice to see some Flemish Giant rabbits on display.

The entire morning was like attending a small county fair. Not much impresses me. Purina Farms was most impressive in all areas…but the quality of poultry exhibited.

Here is the poster that was displayed. You can get a copy at the APA website listed above.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
The first area we cull for in our breeding flock is egg production. If our large fowl Orpingtons do not produce well, we cull. J Ralph Brazelton, a master breeder of Orpingtons used trap nesting and had hens that consistently produced an average of 200+ eggs per year. We are considering his method of trapnesting.

True, Purina's mainstay is backyard livestock of all types. But they did not have a livestock auction crossbred milk cow. They had Holsteins. They did not have a skinny, weak, worn out draft horse. They had a Belgian mare of superior quality. Their barn was not an old, time damaged structure. It was a state of the art facility.

I would highly recommend a visit to Purina Farms this summer.

 

[kathyinmo]

Considering it has been over 100* for more than 3 weeks here in Missouri, I am surprised they have ANY chickens for petting.

I don't think it matters to most folks if the animals they have there are pedigree show birds. A chicken is a chicken is a chicken.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
I think that would be awfully risky on their part. WHY do you feel they NEED to change their practices? It just so happens MANY people enjoy cross breeds and mutts. Maybe others would encourage them to keep what they have.

 

[sourland]

Jimsfarmstand, I understand exactly what you are saying, and am glad that you and your family had an enjoyable visit at Purina Farms.

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:
Thank you!